The Grenada gazette. (Grenada, Miss.) 1885-18??, 1887-04-09

Inc Jews black eyes softened.
"lou see we hat it only one. two
day, and several hat come to ask. but
they could not afford so much as | ask
-ah no! They say the price is mon
strous-what you call high
The willy salesman had caught his
victim with that last specious argyll
ment. Lily had the money, and to
spare. though it was more than she
had at first thought of giving. Ten
dollars would buy so many pretty
things. but then to have one genuine
ceramic of so much historic interest
and value! Now, our little woman
had never had a party. not even before
she was in her teens, and her gener-
Gus soul contemplated the giving of
an entertainment, in a small way,
on her husbands birthday. There
were several relatives and friends
whom she wished to invite. one or two
cousins on his side, 4 brother. three sis
ter, and an old greataunt of very &C.
centric manners but much beloved by
her husband on account of some favors
she had done him in his youth.
What better could she do than give
him a pleasant surprise on his return
from business? A little extra cake, a
little extra this, that and the other. and
there was the supper. got up for ten
instead of three, and surprise in the
way of salad and company. She de-
cided to have the party. How busy
she was in preparing for it-how
an Sious, how careful! What c%onsulta-
tions she had with the cook and the
cookbook! How fragrant the house
was with spices and odors!
Every body remarked it. and the
busy little lady, in her neat white linen
apron. was so attractive that even the
butchers boy stopped whistling to
look at her. Even her mother-in-law
was obliged to acknowledge. as she sat
in her W cosy room. mending or
knitting. that George couldn't have
done better if she had chosen his wife
for him.
On the morning of the birthday, the
"ugly little mug as George laughing
ly called it. was presented. and voted
very nice in the way Of ceramics, and
that night it was placed on the supper
table ut that gentleman's right hand.
The company had assembled, even the
queer old aunt, who, good soul as she
was. looked almost hideous in her old
fashioned cap with its wide black rib
bon.
II didn't reckon to come to no more
parties,' she said, on her entrance,
bringing from an enormous pocket q
black horn dressing-comb, ''but here l
am, in my eightieth year, but not too
old to enjoy a good tea. l reckon
Cynthy Ann wanted to wait. but !
stick to the good old times, when going
to tea meant to spend the afternoon
and bring your knitting-work.
Besides, l wanted to see what kind of a
wife my boy had GOT
'.Aunty. don't!' said her youngest
niece.
"Aunty WILL" was the rejoinder;
''and I'll tell you what, if her cake and
tea are half rs nice as she is, they'll
Aunt Mcggy occupied the seat of
honor at her great-nephew's right
hand.
The milk had been proudly poured
into the mug of majolica. When the
mug was passed to Aunt Meggy. she
and balanced it in her hand.
Then she looked at it, while u puzzled
uncertainty overcast her features. The
company became silent, and waited for
her 10 speak.
"Well. I say! why, yes. it is! Cynth,
you remember tiny old spoon-holder,
that old mug I bought Of the peddlcr
ten years ago."
Eyes"
"Nell, I do declarc!'
There was a pause.
''What?' asked several voices.
"7Aats the very one! l know it
cause there's the little bulge in the
chiny right eve the critters eye
There was an embarrassing silence.
"7hat mug was stole from me by a
rood. for. nothin' tramD last month";
She continued. II had three old silver
,ixpenccs in it, and the fellow, as soon
Is my back was turned. jest tucked it
under his coat and made off with it
fore l could say Jack Robinson!"
"Oh" 1t was Lily's exclamation
point.
"Well. Welt where did you find my
,poonholderT'
Lily's cheeks were white.
Ill bought it-aunty."
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